Auto Mechanic and Automotive Schools in New York

There were nearly 11 million vehicles registered in New York in 2014, and skilled auto mechanics are needed all over the state to make sure they stay in service and on the roads. If you've ever wanted to join the ranks of trained mechanics and master technicians in the Empire State, training at auto mechanic schools in New York might be the right move for you.

Auto Mechanic Training and Certification in NY

Graduating from auto mechanic programs in New York can take anywhere from two years or more for a full-fledged associate degree to just a few months for a course covering single automotive system. Graduates hoping to enhance their skills and work toward Master Automobile Technician status can test for a series of professional certifications at the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), including the following:

Engine repair

Automatic transmission/transaxle

Manual drive train and axles

Suspension and steering

Brakes

Electrical/electronic systems

Heating and A/C

Engine performance

Technical schools, career academies, community colleges and other two-year institutions are typically the best places to look for auto mechanic training and certification in New York, although some brand-specific dealerships may have in-house training programs and certain independent garages may offer apprenticeship opportunities. Learn more about auto mechanic training and certification here.

Certification from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) may influence career opportunities. . To qualify for ASE certification, automotive technicians must have two years of on-the-job training or one year of on-the-job training and a two-year degree in automotive repair.

Employment and Salary Overview in New York

There are hundreds of ways to start your auto mechanic career in New York. Jobs are open in in New York City, Buffalo, Albany, Rochester, Brooklyn and other cities throughout the state, waiting for skilled technicians to apply and demonstrate the skills they learned in school.

Some auto mechanic schools in New York also offer courses in business, accounting, entrepreneurship and other important knowledge areas for students who hope to go into business for themselves. Whatever direction you're hoping to take your career, there's a program somewhere in the state that can help you get there.

Auto Mechanic Wages & Salaries

A variety of factors may influence the salary expectations of individual graduates of auto mechanic schools in New York. Those with more time on the job, more education, more comprehensive certifications or a set of specialized skills may command higher wages than those whose expertise is less well-rounded.

Geographical location plays into decisions about auto mechanic salary in New York, as well, with some metropolitan areas in the state paying much higher mean annual wages than others.

Auto Body Technician Wages & Salaries

New York employed the fourth-highest statewide number of auto mechanics and service technicians in the U.S.. Car dealerships and local governments combined to employ more than 70 percent of the total mechanic workforce nationwide, with parts stores, tire shops, gas stations and local government agencies employing 16 of the remaining 30 percent.

$21.68

$45,090

Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL

1,420

$20.39

$42,400

Q&A with an Expert

An interview with the Associate Professor and Chair of the Automotive Trades Department at SUNY College of Technology in Alfred, NY. Kent Johnson

Q: What type of degree/certificate do mechanics in New York typically need?

A: When prospective students come here to see our program, I generally tell them that they should visit as many schools as possible to determine what is important to them. Alfred State offers a two-year AOS (Associates of Occupational Studies) degree. This is primarily a hands-on degree in that the students spend 4.5 hours daily working in the labs, and 1.5 hours daily in the classroom focused on vehicle repair related topics. Some schools offer AAS degrees (Associates of Applied Science) which include liberal arts requirements, but typically offers less hands-on lab practice, and some schools offer shorter certificate programs. There are pros and cons to all three, so it really depends on what is important to the individual and what job they are trying to get.

Q: What are the preferred qualities/skills of an auto mechanic?

They need to be well trained with a desire to continue learning

They need to be thinkers and problem solvers

They need strong work ethics

They need to be able to communicate and they need people skills

They need to be focused on professionalism

These are all qualities that the automotive department at Alfred State works very hard to instill in our students.

How to Enroll in an Automotive School in New York?

Every auto mechanic needs training, and earning a degree or diploma from one of the many reputable auto mechanic programs in New York is a great way to get training that you know will measure up to the standards of any shop in the industry. Start your search for auto mechanic schools in New York, by browsing the listings below and finding out what's available at programs near you.

Sources:

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics, Employment Trends by Occupation Across States, Career InfoNet, accessed October 27, 2015, http://www.careerinfonet.org/carout3.asp?optstatus=001000000&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=493023&stfips=01&jobfam=49&menuMode=&order=Percent

Encompasses the Lincoln Tech, Lincoln Culinary Institute, and Lincoln College of New England brands.

Lincoln schools made more than $15 million available nationally through scholarships to qualified students in 2015.

Designated a Military Friendly School for the 6th year in a row by Victory Media; offers exclusive scholarship for servicemen and women and their families.

First Lincoln Tech campus opened in 1946; now 30 campuses in 15 states across the United States.

Campuses are accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), Accrediting Commission of Career Schools (ACCSC), Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES), and New England Association of Schools and Colleges – Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC)

At Universal Technical Institute (UTI), you won’t just train for a career. You can train for success. The hands-on training and high-tech skills you can get at UTI can put you on the fast track toward a rewarding career as a professional technician. Across the nation, you can find UTI-trained technicians working in great jobs with top manufacturers, dealerships and repair shops.